Proposed EU Trade Pact – 25,000 Jobs for Georgia?

Proponents of a new free-trade agreement with the European Union believe it could result in 25,000 new jobs for Georgia.

A study conducted by the Atlantic Council, the Bertelsmann Foundation and the British Embassy in Washington D.C. suggests 740,000 jobs would be created by lowering tariffs and increasing trade with the EU.

The U.S. automotive industry is expected to be the biggest winner from the proposed trade agreement.

Southeastern states such as Georgia, Alabama, Tennessee, and South Carolina could see automotive exports to the EU double.

According to the study, the overall economic impact for Georgia would be measured in the billions of dollars. Georgia's exports to the EU, already $12.1 billion, could grow by 31.5 percent as a result of the deal, the report found. Motor vehicle exports could increase by $1.9 billion, followed by wood and paper products ($561 million), chemicals ($551 million) and transportation equipment ($542 million).